Support the Home Health Payment Innovation Act to Improve Medicare Payment Reform

Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and John Cassidy (R-LA) have introduced legislation (S.3458) that would require Medicare to implement adjustments to reimbursement rates only after behavioral changes by home health agencies that affect Medicare spending actually occur instead of assuming changes might happen. Representatives Ralph Abraham (R-LA) Garrett Graves (R-LA), Scott Desjarlais (R-TN), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and Terri Sewell (D-AL) have introduced similar legislation (H.R. 6932) in the House of Representatives. The bills further ensure budget neutrality while requiring all necessary increases or decreases in payment rates be phased in at a ceiling of no more than two percent per year to mitigate the risk of service interruptions to Medicare beneficiaries in need of home health.

S. 3545, the Home Health Payment Innovation Act of 2018, introduced earlier by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Debbie Strabenow (D-MI), and Bill Nelson (D-FL) would likewise ensure payment changes for home health services be based on observable data and payment reductions are capped at two percent. It would also allow for greater flexibility for Medicare beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans.” Notwithstanding and other provision of law, MA organization shall be permitted to waive the ‘confined to his home’ requirement in the home health services benefit with the organization determines it is in the best interest of the enrollee.”

Members are encouraged to support all three of these bills by contacting their members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. You'll find your legislators listed in APTA's Take Action Center. APTA login required.